Staff Software Engineer

About the job

Secure Every Identity, from AI to Human

Identity is the key to unlocking the potential of AI. Okta secures AI by building the trusted, neutral infrastructure that enables organizations to safely embrace this new era. This work requires a relentless drive to solve complex challenges with real-world stakes. We are looking for builders and owners who operate with speed and urgency and execute with excellence.

This is an opportunity to do career-defining work. We're all in on this mission. If you are too, let's talk.

Get to know Okta

Okta is The World’s Identity Company. We free everyone to safely use any technology, anywhere, on any device or app. Our flexible and neutral products, Okta Platform and Auth0 Platform, provide secure access, authentication, and automation, placing identity at the core of business security and growth.

At Okta, we celebrate a variety of perspectives and experiences. We are not looking for someone who checks every single box - we’re looking for lifelong learners and people who can make us better with their unique experiences.

Join our team! We’re building a world where Identity belongs to you.

About Okta’s Enterprise Access Team

Okta is The World’s Identity Company. We free everyone to safely use any technology—anywhere, on any device or app. Our Workforce and Customer Identity Clouds enable secure yet flexible access, authentication, and automation that transforms how people move through the digital world, putting Identity at the heart of business security and growth.

The Enterprise Access team drives billions of authentications every month. The team builds and supports single sign-on, strong authentication, provisioning, and threat protection technologies. Our Enterprise Access service runs in the cloud on a secure, reliable, extensively audited platform with 99.99% availability.

About the role

We’re looking for a Staff Software Engineer for the Federated Authentication team. Operating under the larger Enterprise Access pillar, the Federated Authentication team is responsible for building out the login, user onboarding and recovery end user experience for the Okta Identity Engine leveraging security standards, this platform provides the core orchestration building blocks to create a world class login experience.

What you’ll be doing

- Drive the technical execution and architecture and help define the long-term strategy for the federated authentication platform, ensuring it meets enterprise-grade standards for security, scalability, and performance.

- Lead the design and implementation of core platform features and foundational framework components, making decisions that enable extensibility for other engineering teams.

- Collaborate with Product Management, Design, and other Principal Engineers to shape the product roadmap and translate complex business requirements into a sustainable technical strategy.

- Spearhead the resolution of the most complex technical challenges, including performance bottlenecks, security vulnerabilities, and architectural limitations.

- Champion technical excellence and innovation, identifying and advocating for new technologies and approaches that advance Okta's identity platform.

- Write clean, modular, well-tested, and maintainable code, adhering to best practices and coding standards.

- Proactively identify and address technical debt, performance bottlenecks, and areas for improvement.

Minimum Requirements :

- 8+ years of software development experience, with at least 5 years focused on designing and building complex, enterprise-grade web applications.

- Demonstrated experience as a technical leader, with a proven track record of architecting and delivering large-scale, high-impact software projects.

- Proficient in at least one Object-Oriented language (i.e. Java, C#).

- Exceptional problem-solving skills and the ability to navigate ambiguity and make high-judgment technical decisions.

- Proven ability to mentor senior engineers and influence technical direction across multiple teams.

Technical Qualifications:

- Familiarity with Object-Oriented Languages (i.e. Java , C#)

- Familiarity with distributed systems and backend architecture such as caching layers, event-driven architectures, and distributed data stores.

- Knowledge of IAM protocols (e.g., OAuth, OIDC, SAML) and identity management concepts is a strong plus.

- Knowledge of cybersecurity principles and secure coding practice is a strong plus

Education and Training:

- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience

- 8+ years of software development experience, with at least 5 years of experience designing and building enterprise grade software

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#LI_Hybrid The Okta Experience

- Supporting Your Well-Being

- Driving Social Impact

- Developing Talent and Fostering Connection + Community

We are intentional about connection. Our global community, spanning over 20 offices worldwide, is united by a drive to innovate. Your journey begins with an immersive, in-person onboarding experience designed to accelerate your impact and connect you to our mission and team from day one.

Okta is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, physical or mental disability, or status as a protected veteran. We also consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and convictions records, consistent with applicable laws.

If reasonable accommodation is needed to complete any part of the job application, interview process, or onboarding please use this Form to request an accommodation.

Notice for New York City Applicants & Employees: Okta may use Automated Employment Decision Tools (AEDT), as defined by New York City Local Law 144, that use artificial intelligence, machine learning, or other automated processes to assist in our recruitment and hiring process. In accordance with NYC Local Law 144, if you are an applicant or employee residing in New York City, please click here to view our full NYC AEDT Notice.